Overusing IVF: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Study draws attention to the need for a step-therapy in infertility treatments

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PRLog - Feb. 4, 2014 - FORT THOMAS, Ky. -- Since its creation in 1978, in-vitro fertilization has helped millions of couples achieve the dream of having children. Initially, scientists created IVF to help women with tubal disorders conceive and over the years, doctors started using it to treat other infertility problems like male subfertility, endometriosis and even unexplained infertility.

But too much of a good thing may turn out to be a bad thing. Dr. Esme I. Kamphuis of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and his team recently released a study that looked at the potential overtreatment of IVF.

Rather than jump straight to IVF, most couples would benefit from infertility step-therapy, starting with ToConceive. ToConceive is natural conception lubrication that enables sperm capacitation, which is necessary for conception.

The study did not discredit the effectiveness of IVF for it’s original purpose—tubal blockage and several male factor infertility. It did, however, draw attention to the use of IVF for other subfertility issues, especially unexplained fertility, which can often be solved using other methods. As the study states, “[IVF’s] early pioneers persevered in opposition to scientific, societal, and religious dogma. [But] similar determination is needed in attempts to evaluate the extension of IVF to new indications.”

Not only can IVF be risky, it’s also extremely expensive and out of reach for many couples. One IVF cycle can cost between $15,000 and $20,000 and most insurance companies do not include IVF as a covered procedure. Couples are going into debt trying to achieve the dream of pregnancy.

If not IVF, then what for couples facing unexplained infertility or other types of infertility? Couples have other options before jumping straight to IVF. ToConceive helps a woman create her own natural conception lubrication, which is the key to conceiving. Natural conception lubrication is necessary for sperm capacitation, the key process that prepares the sperm to fertilize the egg. Without suitable natural conception lubrication, the sperm cannot be capacitated. Without sperm capacitation, the sperm cannot reach the egg or properly fertilize it and pregnancy cannot occur. Often with unexplained infertility, a woman is not producing enough of her own natural conception lubrication and the sperm is not being properly capacitated, which is why they cannot get pregnant.

Unlike IVF, ToConceive has no ill side effects, is easy to use and effective for many couples experiencing unexplained infertility. Additionally, it's a fraction of the cost. ToConceive costs just $39.95 for a one-month supply, compared to $15,000 to $20,000 for IVF.

For some couples, other step-therapy methods for infertility still may not help and in those cases, IVF is an excellent solution. But couples don’t need to go directly to IVF; other easier and less expensive options exist, including ToConceive.